Method and machine for selecting potatoes of given size from massed potatoes of random size

ABSTRACT

Potatoes or other items of random sizes are fed, en masse, onto one end of a sizing deck made up of longitudinally extending screw rolls rotatably mounted in mutually spaced, side-by-side relationship, and are conveyed toward the opposite, discharge end of the deck. Oversize items are retained by the deck and travel thereover to discharge, while others drop through the deck and are collected below. The screw threading of the rolls is of the same hand throughout and of scalloped formation, with uppermost portions of the screw thread and valley substantially aligned, respectively, diagonally across the deck, so as to define longitudinally extending, side-by-side series of sizing openings. The rolls are all rotated in the same direction for conveying the fed items toward the discharge end of the deck, and guide means, preferably a rotating roller, is provided along the side of the deck toward which the items tend to move in their travel from the feed end toward the discharge end of the deck. Provision is preferably made for adjusting the spacing of the rolls relative to each other.

United States Patent [191 Brown et al.

]March 20, 1973 [75] Inventors: Scott W. Brown; Owen K. Ward,

' both of Pocatello, Idaho [73] Assignee: Milestone, Inc., Pocatello, Idaho [22] Filed: May 6, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 140,881

Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher Attorney-Mallinckrodt & Cornaby [5 7] ABSTRACT Potatoes or other items of random sizes are fed, en

masse, onto one end of a sizing deck made up of longitudinally extending screw rolls rotatably mounted in mutually spaced, side-by-side relationship, and are conveyed toward the opposite,discharge end of the deck. Oversize items are retained by the deck and travel there over to discharge, while others drop through the deck and are collected below. The screw threading of the rolls is of the same hand throughout and of scalloped formation, with uppermost portions of the screw thread and valley substantially aligned, respectively, diagonally across the deck, so as to define longitudinally extending, side-by-side series of sizing openings. The rolls are all rotated in the same direction for conveying the fed items toward the discharge end of the deck, and guide means, preferably a rotating roller, is provided along the side of the deck toward which the items tend to move in their travel from the feed end toward the discharge end of the deck. Provision is preferably made for adjusting the spacing of the rolls relative to each other.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATEHTFHHARZUIHZS I 3,721,345

0 sum 10F 2 v I N VEN TORS 1 SCOTT w BROWN BY OWEN K. WARD I 5-90 I Kl AT TORNE YS PATEr-Hinumoms,

SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTORS SCOTT. w BROWN OWEN K. WARD ATTORAJF METIIOI) AND MACHINE FOR SELECTING POTATOES OF GIVEN SIZE FROM MASSED POTATOES OF RANDOM SIZE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention is in the general field of methods and apparatus for separating items of a given size or sizes from a mass of such items of random sizes indiscriminately grouped, and is particularly concerned with selecting potatoes having given size characteristics from a mass of random sized'potatoes-by passing such mass over a dynamic sizing deck made up of mutually spaced and rotating sizing rolls.

2. State of the Art The art concerned is highly developed. Mutually V spaced, sizing rolls have long been used as a sizing deck for a variety of items of agricultural produce. Mutually adjacent rolls have usually been of opposite hand and have usually been rotated in opposite directions. These I V have left much to be desired, especially in the handling of potatoes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION which the mass of potatoes tend to migrate as they travel from the feed end toward the discharge end of the deck. Means are provided, such as a multiple link and lever system (somewhat similar to that disclosed in our copending application Ser. No. 769,022 filed Oct. 21, 1968) for adjusting the spacings of the sizing rolls relative to each other to change the screening size of the sizing deck.

THE DRAWINGS A specific construction of sizing machine for potatoes, representing the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the machine, with portions broken away to reveal the sizing deck and the sizing r'oll'driving and spacing mechanisms therefor;

FIG. 2, a view in elevation looking toward the feed end of the machine, only the sizing deck and its operating mechanism being shown;

FIG. 3, a fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical section taken along the line 3-3of FIG. 1 and drawn to a larger scale;

FIG. 4, a transverse vertical section takenalong the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and drawn to the same scale,

FIG. 5, a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but fragmentary .and showing the sizing rolls and operating mechanism adjusted to widen the spacings between mutually adjacent rolls; and

FIG. 6, a view similar to that of FIG. 2, but corresponding to the roll-adjusted condition of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT In the specific form illustrated, the machine of the invention comprises a sizing deck 10 having a feed end 10a and a discharge end 10b. Such deck 10 is formed by a plurality of sizing rolls 11, which extend longitudinally in mutually spaced, preferably parallel, side-byside relationship from the feed end 10a to the discharge end 10b.

Each of the rolls 11 is of scalloped screw formation, having a continuous screw thread 11a defining a continuous valley 11b arcuate in cross-section. The rolls 1 l are so arranged in the sizing deck that the uppermost portions of the screw threads 11a of the several rolls are substantially aligned diagonally across the deck and so that the uppermost portions of the valleys 11b of the several rolls are also substantially aligned diagonally across the deck, all as can be seen from FIG. 1.

The rolls 11 are rotatably mounted at and cantilevered from the feed end 10a of the deck by means of respective stub shafts 12 that may be formed integrally with the rolls or may be rigidly secured thereto. Respective sets of bearings 13 and 14, FIG. 3, rotatably support the stub shafts 12 and are themselves supported by respective sets of uprights and 16, which are mounted by means of respectivehubs 15a and 16a for back and forth pivotal movement on respective shafts 17. Such shafts 17 are journaled by respective sets of bearings 18 and 19 resting on stringers 20a of. a structural framework 20 having legs 2012 that support the machine wherever located, inside a building or outside on the ground.

The shafts 17 are driven in common from a prime mover 21, such as an electric motor or internal combustion engine, by means of a chain and sprocket drive comprising a drive sprocket 22, driven sprockets 23 secured to respective shafts l7, and an elongate roller chain 24. Respective roller chains 25, see especially FIG. 4, connect sprockets 26 on shafts 17 with corresponding sprockets 27 on stub shafts 12, thereby driving sizing rolls 11 all in the same direction,

clockwise as viewed from the several figures of the drawings.

Accordingly, when items such as potatoes are passed en masse onto the feed end 10a of the sizing deck, as from the chute 28, FIG. 1, they are conveyed by the screw action of the sizing rolls 11 toward the discharge end 10b of such deck. En route, those items whose size in at least one dimension in the instance of potatoes usually girth transversely of length corresponds to or is less than the size ofthe sizing openings 29, slip through such sizing openings during travel and fall onto a collecting means below. As shown, such collecting roller 32, having a stub shaft 33 rotatably mounted in a set of bracket arms 34 and 35. Such roller 32 is rotated away from deck 10, i.e. clockwise as are the sizing rolls 11, by sprocket and roller chain drive connection indicated generally at 36.

It is a preferred feature of the machine that the spacings between sizing rolls be adjustable within reasonable limits. In the handling of potatoes, the size presently regarded as optimum for many purposes is a girth of about two inches in diameter. Accordingly, for most purposes the respective sizing openings 29 will be maintained at a diameter of two inches. Yet, it is preferred that there be provision for enlarging and reducing this size somewhat, e.g. enlarging the width of the sizing openings to three inches and reducing such widths to an inch. To this end, means for adjusting the spacings between adjacent rollers, so that all of such spacings will remain equal and all of the sizing rolls will remain in parallel, are provided.

As shown, the adjusting means advantageously comprises a manually operable lever arm 37, FIGS. 1 and 5, pivoted to frame at 38 and connected by respective links 39 of respectively different lengths to the uprights 16 in which those several sizing rolls 11 that lie at opposite sides of the center one are journaled. Such center sizing roll is held firmly against lateral movement, i.e., movement transversely of the sizing deck 10, by braces 40 secured to frame 20 and to the upright 16 in which that center sizing roll is journaled. In view of the pivotal mounting of the uprights 16 at their lower ends, movement of lever arm 37 to the left as seen in FIG. 1 will move the rolls ll simultaneously toward one another to reduce the size of the sizing openings 29, while movement of such lever arm 37 to the right will move rolls l1 simultaneously away from one another to increase the size of such sizing openings 29.

Whereas this invention is here illustrated and described with respect to a certain preferred form thereof, it is to be understood that many variations are possible without departing from the inventive concepts particularly pointed out in the claims. 1

We claim:

1. A machine for selecting items, such as'potatoes, of given size from a random sized mass of same, comprising a sizing deck having a feed end and a discharge end and formed by a plurality of sizing rolls extending longitudinally from said feed end to said discharge end in mutually spaced, side-by-side relationship, each of said rolls being of scalloped'screw formation and all being of the same hand with the ridges and valleys thereof substantially aligned, respectively, diagonally across said deck to form longitudinally extending series of sizing openings; and means for rotating said rolls unidirectionally to convey items from said feed end toward said discharge end of the sizing deck.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sizing rolls are cantilevered for rotation by respective stub shafts extending from corresponding ends of the rolls and journaled in respective sets of mutually spaced uprights at corresponding ends thereof; and wherein the means for rotating said rolls comprise other shafts for the respective rolls that correspond to said stub shafts and are themselves journaled in the respective sets of uprights; means gearing together the stub shafts and the other shafts, respectively; splrockets rigidly secured, respectively, to the said other 5 afts; an

endless roller chain looped around said sprockets in common; and a drive sprocket at one end of said roller chain.

3. A machine in accordance with claim 2, wherein the sets of uprights are pivotally mounted, respectively, on the other shafts; and wherein means are provided for laterally displacing the sizing rolls simultaneously relative to one another, said means comprising an operating lever pivotally mounted independently of said rolls, and links respectively interconnecting said lever with the free ends of uprights of said sets of uprights.

4. A machine in accordance with claim 3, wherein means are provided holding the center sizing roll of the sizing deck rigidly against lateral movement; the operating lever is pivoted intermediate its length; and the links connected with rolls lying at one side of said center roll are all connected to said lever at one side of its pivot, while the links connected with rolls lying at the other side of said center roll are all connected to said lever at the other side ofits pivot.

5. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein guide means extends longitudinally along the side of the sizing deck toward which the items tend to migrate as they travel from the feed end toward the discharge end of the deck.

6. A machine in accordance with claim 5, wherein the guide means comprises a roller, and means are provided for rotating said roller toward the sizing deck.

7. A machine in accordance with claim 6, wherein the roller is longitudinally fluted.

8. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sizing rolls are mounted for lateral displacement relative to one another, and means are provided for laterally displacing said rolls relative to one another.

9. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein means are provided for feeding massed items onto the feed end of the sizing deck; means are provided below said deck for collecting items that pass through said deck; and means are provided at the discharge end of said deck for receiving items discharged from the deck.

10. A method of selecting potatoes of given size from a mass of potatoes of random size, comprising feeding said mass onto the feed end of the sizing deck of a machine constructed in accordance with claim 1, conveying the fed potatoes longitudinally of said deck toward the discharge end thereof by rotating the sizing rolls of the deck; and discharging from said deck those potatoes that do not pass through sizing openings of the deck. 

1. A machine for selecting items, such as potatoes, of given size from a random sized mass of same, comprising a sizing deck having a feed end and a discharge end and formed by a plurality of sizing rolls extending longitudinally from said feed end to said discharge end in mutually spaced, side-by-side relationship, each of said rolls being of scalloped screw formation and all being of the same hand with the ridges and valleys thereof substantially aligned, respectively, diagonally across said deck to form longitudinally extending series of sizing openings; and means for rotating said rolls unidirectionally to convey items from said feed end toward said discharge end of the sizing deck.
 2. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sizing rolls are cantilevered for rotation by respective stub shafts extending from corresponding ends of the rolls and journaled in respective sets of mutually spaced uprights at corresponding ends thereof; and wherein the means for rotating said rolls comprise other shafts for the respective rolls that correspond to said stub shafts and are themselves journaled in the respective sets of uprights; means gearing together the stub shafts and the other shafts, respectively; sprockets rigidly secured, respectively, to the said other shafts; an endless roller chain looped around said sprockets in common; and a drive sprocket at one end of said roller chain.
 3. A machine in accordance with claim 2, wherein the sets of uprights are pivotally mounted, respectively, on the other shafts; and wherein means are provided for laterally displacing the sizing rolls simultaneously relative to one another, said means comprising an operating lever pivotally mounted independently of said rolls, and links respectively interconnecting said lever with the free ends of uprights of said sets of uprights.
 4. A machine in accordance with claim 3, wherein means are provided holding the center sizing roll of the sizing deck rigidly against lateral movement; the operating lever is pivoted intermediate its length; and the links connected with rolls lying at one side of said center roll are all connected to said lever at one side of its pivot, while the links connected with rolls lying at the other side of said center roll are all connected to said lever at the other side of its pivot.
 5. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein guide means extends longitudinally along the side of the sizing deck toward which the items tend to migrate as they travel from the feed end toward the discharge end of the deck.
 6. A machine in accordance with claim 5, wherein the guide means comprises a roller, and means are provided for rotating said roller toward the sizing deck.
 7. A machine in accordance with claim 6, wherein the roller is longitudinally fluted.
 8. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sizing rolls are mounted for lateral displacement relative to one another, and means are provided for laterally displacing said rolls relative to one another.
 9. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein means are provided for feeding massed items onto the feed end of the sizing deck; means are provided below said deck for collecting items that pass through said deck; and means are provided at the discharge end of said deck for receiving items discharged from the deck.
 10. A method of selecting potatoes of given size from a mass of potatoes of random size, comprising feeding said mass onto the feed end of the sizing deck of a machine constructed in accordance with claim 1, conveying the fed potatoes longitudinally of said deck toward the discharge end thereof by rotating the sizing rolls of the deck; and discharging from said deck those potatoes that do not pass through sizing openings of the deck. 